ALBAWABA- Iran has announced a high-stakes meeting on Friday with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, signaling growing tensions over its nuclear program.
The discussions follow Tehran's recent uranium enrichment to 60%, defiance of a condemnation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and threats to reconsider its nuclear policy.
The IAEA resolution, supported by the U.S., UK, France, and Germany, accused Iran of non-cooperation under the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran rejected the accusations but expressed readiness for dialogue ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to office.
Trump had withdrawn the U.S. from the deal during his first term, reigniting tensions with Iran.
Iranian diplomat Majid Takht Ravanchi will represent Tehran in Friday’s talks, which will also include a pre-meeting with EU envoy Enrique Mora, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
In a move signaling its resolve, Iran recently activated advanced centrifuges to expand its enriched uranium stockpile. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that "thousands of advanced centrifuges" are now operational.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, the IAEA has raised concerns over the unprecedented level of uranium enrichment by a non-nuclear weapons state.
Araghchi hinted that Western failures to meet commitments, including lifting sanctions, are fueling internal debates in Iran about revising its nuclear doctrine. “For now, we have no intention of exceeding 60% enrichment,” he told The Guardian, “but discussions among the elite question whether our current strategy is practically sufficient.”
As Tehran threatens a strategic shift, Friday’s talks could mark a critical juncture in efforts to address the escalating nuclear dispute, raising the stakes for regional and global stability.
